If you've always thought that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery were the same thing, you're not alone. A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery and, therefore, the terms are often used interchangeably. But this is not technically correct. Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are closely related specialties, but they are not the same thing. You're not alone if you think that plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons are the same thing, but they definitely aren't.
The training can range from a one-year cosmetic surgery grant to a handful of short weekend courses on topics ranging from how to perform liposuction, use injectables or place breast implants. Plastic surgeons have extensive training and perform a wide variety of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures on all areas of the body. Elective aesthetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons. You may see some plastic surgeons who are certified by other boards or who have double or triple board certifications.
Recent studies have shown that more than half of women in the United States are unaware of the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. Reconstructive plastic surgery, on the other hand, can improve the function and appearance of the face or body. Since plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used interchangeably to describe procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, facelift, and rhinoplasty, many people believe that plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons are the same thing. Cosmetic surgery (or “cosmetic surgery”) focuses specifically on improving appearance and can be performed on any area of the body.
Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. Because any licensed doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgery, regardless of how you received training in cosmetic surgery, it's extremely important that you do your research when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. Medical professionals are not required to be board-certified plastic surgeons to perform complex cosmetic surgeries. Along with this residency training, surgeons must complete a surgical residency program and undergo at least one year of a fellowship program specializing in cosmetic surgery.
Plastic surgeons repair problems caused by birth defects, injuries, burns, or illnesses, with the goal of restoring both normal function and normal appearance. The Aesthetic Society supports the medical education of surgeons, as well as the education and advocacy of patients.
